Commencement information for seniors and families
Caps, gowns and tassels
Caps, gowns and tassels should be ordered as soon as possible from Herff Jones. There is no cost for the cap and gown as long as graduates place their order by March 20, 2025. Any order placed after that date will be subject to a $25 fee to expedite the order.
The charge for the cap, gown and tassel is included in the graduation application fee that was charged to each graduate’s student account.
Caps and gowns become the property of the graduate, and will be picked up during Class of 2025 Grad Days. After Grad Days, caps and gowns may be picked up in the Augustana Bookstore after all pre-commencement requirements have been fulfilled. Contact the bookstore with questions about caps and gowns, 309-794-7541.
Graduates choosing to not walk in the commencement ceremony do not receive a cap, gown and tassel.
Before picking up your cap and gown
- Complete the exit interview process for your Direct Loan, Perkins Loan and/or Augustana Institutional Loan Program.
- Complete the Senior Survey – a link to the survey will be emailed to graduates.
- Attend Class of 2025 Grad Days on April 28-29, 2025.
Loan exit interviews
Federal direct loans: If you borrowed a federal direct loan at any point during your time at Augustana, you must complete an exit interview before receiving your cap and gown. You will receive directions on how to complete exit counseling online from the Financial Aid Office. Contact Cate Strahl with any questions.
Augustana Institutional Loans: If you have borrowed funds through the Federal Perkins Loan Program and/or Augustana Institutional Loan Program you will need to complete your exit interviews online before receiving your cap and gown. Perkins and Augustana Institutional loan borrowers will receive information via email with instructions on completing this requirement. Email Diane McCann if you have questions.
Class of 2025 Grad Days
All graduates should come to Class of 2025 Grad Days April 28-29, 2025, to complete the following:
- Graduation application verification
- Name pronunciation
- Senior Survey (if not previously done)
- Loan exit interview (if not previously done)
- Pick up cap and gown
Students must have completed their loan exit interviews (if applicable) and completed the Senior Survey before picking up their cap and gown.
Announcements: Families who would like to order personalized announcements to send to friends and relatives may order them online through the Augustana Bookstore. Diploma frames, class rings and blank graduation announcements with the college seal are also available through the bookstore.
Commencement tickets: Vibrant Arena at the Mark has sufficient seating capacity for commencement and is handicapped accessible.
Students away from campus: Some students may be away from Augustana for portions of their final year due to internships out of state, study abroad, cooperative degree programs or finishing their degree away. All students are required to apply to graduate through Arches. If you are unsure if you have applied, see the List of Candidates.
Students who are unable to attend Class of 2025 Grad Days in April may pick up their caps and gowns at the Augustana Bookstore. Only confirmed candidates who have cleared all pre-commencement restrictions may pick up a cap and gown. All graduates taking classes on campus spring term are required to attend Class of 2025 Grad Days.
Excuse petition: Unless formally excused by the Committee on Advanced Standing and Degrees (chaired by Liesl Fowler, registrar), all 2025 spring and summer candidates are required to attend the Commencement Convocation.
Diploma: At Commencement each participant will receive a diploma cover. Diplomas will be mailed upon certification of completion of the degree requirements. Please be certain the Office of the Registrar has your current mailing address. Note that diplomas will not be available for those with an outstanding balance in the Business Office.
Pictures: Each graduate will be photographed. For more information on ordering photos, see GradImages.com.
Livestream: The livestream can be accessed on the day of Commencement from the Augustana homepage. The ceremony will also be recorded and posted to YouTube the following week.
Letter for visa applications: If you need a letter from the college so that your family may obtain visas to attend the commencement ceremony, complete this form for the Registrar’s Office. Please list all of the people who will be attending and how they are related to you. There will also be a limited supply of the formal Commencement invitations available in the Scheduling Office by the end of February.
Questions: Questions pertaining to Commencement weekend may be directed to the Augustana Ticket Office at 309-794-7306 or to the Office of Conference Services at 309-794-7322.